One-hit wonders often deserve the label, in the most respectful way possible. However, others tend to get the one-hit wonder label when it is undeserved. In fact, I think plenty of rock bands out there deserved more charting success than they got with their sole charting hit. Let’s look at a couple of examples, shall we?
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Tommy Tutone
Tommy Tutone made it big in 1981 with the release of their pop-rock hit, “867-5309 (Jenny)”. Even if you weren’t around back then, you can probably clock this song immediately. It made it to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and did similarly well in Canada.
However, the band failed to chart at all with subsequent releases. I think that’s a bit unfair. “Which Man Are You” and “Get Around Girl” were fun songs, and there weren’t many power pop new wave bands out there quite like Tommy Tutone.
The Knack
Who didn’t love The Knack back in the 1980s? This power pop rock outfit is by far best known for their debut song, “My Sharona”. It’s an addictive little gem that showcases the early 1980s brand of garage rock. I should mention that this song was technically released in 1979, but it charted well in 1980. In fact, the song made it to No. 1 on the Hot 100 and stayed there for weeks.
Following “My Sharon” was “Good Girls Don’t”, which didn’t quite make it to the Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. Their subsequent singles fell off almost entirely. I don’t really get why; The Knack continued to put out good music for quite a few years.
A Flock Of Seagulls
Remember A Flock Of Seagulls? This electronic rock band got the one-hit wonder label for their song “I Ran (So Far Away)” in 1982. That tune made it to No. 9 on the Hot 100, and none of the band’s subsequent singles broke through to the Top 10 on that particular chart again.
It’s a shame, though I doubt the band minded much. They are far from considered one-hit wonders in their native UK, where they continued to chart well into the mid-1980s.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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